Thai govt revokes Thaksin's passports, citing 'damaging' interview

[Homeropec]

some elements that may damage the national security, reputation, and dignity of Thailand."

hahahahaha

in simple words: "some elements that may damage the COUP MAKERS"

[TigerandDog]

Does it really serve any purpose , I suppose it undermines his authority to speak on Thailand's behalf .The only time he would ever return would be would be if and when a Thaksin friendly Government were in place , so I dare say they would issue him a new one. Its just to unsettle his supporters I suppose and show how the junta can do what they want, Apart from Jailing his sister , not much else they can get at him with

Actually there is a way to have him arrested and brought to justice in Thailand. He only needs to be officially added to Interpol's list of wanted criminals and his exile will be over sooner than later, especially if a substantial reward is offered for information that leads to his arrest and return to Thailand to stand trial.

[Bignose]

Good news and about time, it will hinder him not as he has the wealth and connections to deal with this, I don't doubt for a second that he has had a contingency in place for years!

It possibly sends a more defined message to the rest of the world though, it would highlight the audacity of a convicted criminal taking part in Thai cabinet meetings via Skype, bad enough in itself but to do so and not even hold a Thai passport???

[IMA_FARANG]

Wow, I can't believe that.

I would have thought It couldn't ever happen.

Maybe pigs can really fly, after all

[NextStationBangkok]

Technically he is not Thai anymore after passport is revoked. So, can he enter the country with some other African republic passport onThaiVisa ?

[webfact]

Thai ex-PM Thaksin under investigation for lese majeste
AFP

BANGKOK: -- Thai police are investigating whether fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra committed royal defamation in a recent interview, authorities said Wednesday as they announced his passports had been revoked.

The divisive billionaire telecoms tycoon-turned-prime minister, who was toppled by a coup in 2006, sits at the heart of Thailand's bitter political divide and now lives in self-imposed exile to avoid jail on a corruption charge.

On Wednesday the foreign ministry said it was asked to take action against Thaksin after police deemed that "part of his interview endangered national security or national reputation".

It was not immediately clear which interview was being referred to. But last week Thaksin made rare public comments in overseas interviews, including to CNN and to Korean television after a public appearance in Seoul, as the Thai military marked a year in power.

"That case (interview) is also under investigation for criminal prosecution on 112," the ministry said in a statement, referring to Thailand's controversial defamation law, which is one of the world's harshest.

Under Section 112, anyone convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.

Thai-based media routinely self-censor to avoid breaching the draconian legislation, under which repetition of the alleged offence could itself break the law.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan confirmed police had initiated action against Thaksin.

"Police are investigating this case and proposed to the foreign ministry to cancel his passports... His remarks (Thaksin's) were detrimental to the state and the monarchy," he told AFP.

In its statement Wednesday the foreign ministry said two passports belonging to Thaksin had been cancelled with effect from May 26.

Since going into self-imposed exile Thaksin has travelled frequently and has been based in Dubai.

It was not immediately possible to confirm the impact the move would have on his ability to travel but he is also believed to hold passports from other countries.

Last May Thailand's generals ousted the government of Thaksin's younger sister Yingluck in a coup shortly after she was removed as premier by a controversial court ruling.

Parties led by or aligned to the Shinawatras have won every election since 2001, and they are loved in the nation's rural north for their populist policies.

But opponents comprising large swathes of the military, judiciary and royalist elite in Bangkok and the southern portion of the country accuse them of cronyism, corruption and financially ruinous politics.

In a CNN interview broadcast last week as Thailand marked a year since the military takeover Thaksin said he would wait for the right moment to re-enter Thai politics.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-05-27

[Robby nz]

Presumably one of those passports was diplomatic and as Yingluck in her travels arranged visa free entry for holders of Thai diplomatic passports to every country she visited that would have covered big brother.

Whether his bought passports are diplomatic and confer the same privilege and to which countries who knows, but even if they are diplomatic then he will have to apply for a visa to enter any country that does have a visa free entry arrangement with the countries of origin of the passports he must now travel on. If they are not diplomatic then he would have to apply for visas to most countries, just like us mortals.

This could put a serious curb on his travels and possibly bar him from some countries.

This is a lesson for him and he should be very aware that the PM has more that he can do should he open his big trap again.

How would he like all his business interests in Thailand nationalized or all his families assets here frozen.

[konying]

Well guess Thaksin S won't be to concerned about losing his Thai passport. I suspect his PR team will now have a field day publicizing to the world the reasoning cited by the General for this action. Illustrates even further to the free world what this current General thinks about free speech, irrespective of what various people think about Thaksin.

free world?

[Manbing]

>>Due to Thailand’s strict lese majeste law, which criminalizes insulting the monarchy, Khaosod English is unable to elaborate on the comments he made in the interview.<< Quote

What a stupid and sad old man Mr T is!!

Even a farang arrived yesterday would know better than to insult the institution.................

Thaksin is a wily old fox and knew that interview would get right up Prayuts nostrils. Seems to have worked, Thaksin certainly won't be losing any sleep on what farangs write on TVF. Best to go back to your bar stool.

I believe he has a close family member engaged in a legal issue as we speak. Do you think he might see that the loss of his passports to be an indication that his family has little sway over the workings of this government?

He might lose his sister for 10 yrs in the near future. How's he going to sleep thinking about that?

Its an ill wind...

[torpedo1970]

You are all asking the wrong question......

They took away 2 out of his 3 Thai passports, so there is one left :-)

How much is any of you guys going to bet that the one left is his diplomatic passport......??

[tbthailand]

revoking passport = attitude adjustment for exiles.

[tbthailand]

these guys are really a bunch of twits...

[khounteen]

Why is the junta so jumpy? Why punish someone for telling the truth?

[circusman]

>>Due to Thailand’s strict lese majeste law, which criminalizes insulting the monarchy, Khaosod English is unable to elaborate on the comments he made in the interview.<< Quote

What a stupid and sad old man Mr T is!!

Even a farang arrived yesterday would know better than to insult the institution.................

Thaksin is a wily old fox and knew that interview would get right up Prayuts nostrils. Seems to have worked, Thaksin certainly won't be losing any sleep on what farangs write on TVF. Best to go back to your bar stool.

No Mr T is an old fool!!

By making himself a 112-suspect, he has closed all doors for a possible return.

Even if an amnesty ever takes place, lese majesty suspects are always excluded!!

PS. I don't drink...........

I doubt the man will have a difficult time living out his life outside Thailand. Money can buy happiness.

[Manbing]

Unlike Prayut, I suspect there is no words that leave

Thaksin's lips that are not carefully thought out. The

charges are of little consequence to him, as he plans

to return to power. So of course all the charges will

be dismissed once he is back in control. The final

battle will be taking place in five to seven years

when the big event happens. I will be long gone,

but it will be interesting to watch from afar..... For

now Thaksin is just biding his time, and having a

bit of fun with Prayut by needling him.

Thaksin seems unable to contain himself at any time.

One day he promises he wants to return and reconscile with everyone, the next he vows dark vengence against everyone who took his bat and ball and golden goose away.

His statements are as considered as his bowel movements.

When you gotta go you gotta go

[dominique355]

Very clever move from the Junta. To accuse Mr T of lèse majesté his interview cannot be shown in Thailand anymore under the threat of LM.

[mikemac]

>>Due to Thailand’s strict lese majeste law, which criminalizes insulting the monarchy, Khaosod English is unable to elaborate on the comments he made in the interview.<< Quote

What a stupid and sad old man Mr T is!!

Even a farang arrived yesterday would know better than to insult the institution.................

Nice bit of sarcasm there JOC, keep it comin' !

[Equalizer]

I thought he had his passport taken off him years ago and travelled around on a Serbian passport or something like that?

They were all revoked in 2009... But his sister gave them back when she became PM...

She not only gave him a diplomatic passport (to a criminal on the run) but also a gift of about 33 Billion (yes read Billion baht) as gift as he admitted in Forbes magazine interview, Amazingly you will still find a band of myopic TV supports speaking for her when they do drag her kicking & screaming into court. http://www.forbes.com/sites/timferguson/2012/10/30/qa-thaksin-sits-down-with-forbes/

Rubbish. It was not a gift in fact it was a fraction of what was seized.

[tbthailand]

by law it should have been done before 8 years,

but his lovely sister and GVt didn't do his duty,

Now finally it's done,

and he have another crime on him which my get him another 10 years Bangkok Hilton !

Well done !! PM

Lese Majeste charges may be pressed by the current regime, however I rather suspect Thaksin does not envisage the current regime being in power, or at least being in a position to ever press charges should (when) he return.

The current regime is very clearly playing for keeps, so Thaksin is as well. The winner will be the one who commands the support of the people, either at the polls or on the streets. Which will it be? Thaksin seems pretty confident.

It's a bugger when a crook can enter politics and then use politics to complete whitewash all his crimes, outstanding cases and probably all future ones too.

Trouble is, too many more educated worldly wise Thais about now. Not likely to put up with his lies, cheating and thieving so easily.

crook = Thaksin?

or

crook = Prayuth?

or both...

[Thaddeus]

Well guess Thaksin S won't be to concerned about losing his Thai passport. I suspect his PR team will now have a field day publicizing to the world the reasoning cited by the General for this action. Illustrates even further to the free world what this current General thinks about free speech, irrespective of what various people think about Thaksin.

if he would travell back to thailand, he would need a passport,

but now he would have to use his Montenogro or Columbia passport -

for this passports he will need a Visa !!

Which Ambassy will give him a Visa ??

or can the aircontroll allow his plain to land if he have not the correct passport - visa ??

As a Thai citizen, he doesn't need any passport to enter Thailand.

Yep. He is still a Citizen of Thailand, if he arrives here, they have to let him enter.

Which means his exile remains self-inflicted.

[Baerboxer]

I thought he had his passport taken off him years ago and travelled around on a Serbian passport or something like that?

They were all revoked in 2009... But his sister gave them back when she became PM...

His sister when PM and his number 1 cousin when Foreign Minister specially opened the foreign ministry, which was closed due to the appalling floods, so a new one could be issued. Cousin then hand delivered it to him for his birthday in Dubai.

Was that illegal - yes. Did the Ombudsman question it - yes. Did Yingluck and lackey cousin ever answer - no. Did anyone check to see who paid for the passport, all the costs associated with the FM delivering it etc - probably not.

Let's see, a known convicted criminal fugitive, wanted on 15 more serious charges for which warrants are out, openly meets with said criminal and presents new passports to him as a birthday present. So much for PTP respecting the law.

And still, the Shin boiler boys will be on, declaring Thaksin, Yingluck and the clan never ever did anything wrong, because they are above the law and entitled to use the country as they see fit. The Shins certainly think so,

Why they've never cancelled these before, or followed up on the Ombudsman's questions - who knows.

The crazies continue to rant and froth about how Thaksin got his passports.I have no idea and care even less.I would be quite surprised if he could not find some way to continue his travels - but the subject is of not much interest to me.

The thread however is about something his different, namely his speech in Korea which obviously hit a nerve and profoundly upset the Junta - prompting them to take action which could have been taken at least a year ago if it was just a question of nobbling Thaksin

So what exactly was it that upset their delicate senstivities? It seems it was the suggestion that the coup was long planned by the army (Lawks a mercy, fetch the smelling salts) in liaison with old established elites and Suthep.Since in general terms this is of course the most credible general explanation It's easy enough to understand the coupsters' rage.The trouble is that the evidence is rather overwheming not least including Suthep's own admission he co-ordinated matters with Prayuth for many months.The lese majeste charge is more puzzling because a sane person's reading of Thaksin's speech would find no possible reference.However we are not here dealing with entirely sane people and as the BBC"s Jonathan Head recently pointed out the reactionary right in Thailand is akin to a cult.One can only conclude the LM charge is in connection to Thaksin's reference to individual Privy Councillors playing politics (which we know from Wikileaks and other sources they have).If this is the case it is yet further evidence that the LM law needs to be restricted to its true purpose and not exploited by soldiers and politicians.

Well, well. The one who always starts with an insult is back. Lunatics in an asylum often claim everyone else is crazy but them too. Makes them think they're not insane.

You don't want to know or care that his sister and cousin abused their powers and illegally issued passports to him when in office? So you don't mind the Shins lying, cheating and breaking laws when in power? Ignoring the inconvenient truth - a trait of the Shins, their lackeys and those who want to pretend they are really democracy loving champions of the poor.

How come Mr. Head never ever points out that Thaksin is wanted on 15 more serious charges; or that these passports were illegally issued; or that Yingluck and her cousin refused to answer repeated questions from the Ombudsman. Thaksin is a convicted criminal and proven liar. Why is he always shown is such a good light by journalists like Mr. Head or AFP. Could it be that billionaire elitist Thaksin and his PR lobbying machine have managed to convince the impressionable, by whatever means, that he and the Shin clan are working class socialist heroes rather than a gang of immoral exploiters?

Why Thailand didn't cancel these passports earlier and why they don't seek extradition on all those outstanding charges and conviction is something they'll regret. The criminal will always push and push, looking for the knee jerk reaction which he hopes his PR boys will exploit.

[Equalizer]

Does it really serve any purpose , I suppose it undermines his authority to speak on Thailand's behalf .The only time he would ever return would be would be if and when a Thaksin friendly Government were in place , so I dare say they would issue him a new one. Its just to unsettle his supporters I suppose and show how the junta can do what they want, Apart from Jailing his sister , not much else they can get at him with

Actually there is a way to have him arrested and brought to justice in Thailand. He only needs to be officially added to Interpol's list of wanted criminals and his exile will be over sooner than later, especially if a substantial reward is offered for information that leads to his arrest and return to Thailand to stand trial.

And how do they do this via Interpol considering the rest of the democratic world supports him.

[Fullstop]

dignity of Thailand

Pssst! ... Your Pattaya is showing.

[Baerboxer]

by law it should have been done before 8 years,

but his lovely sister and GVt didn't do his duty,

Now finally it's done,

and he have another crime on him which my get him another 10 years Bangkok Hilton !

Well done !! PM

Lese Majeste charges may be pressed by the current regime, however I rather suspect Thaksin does not envisage the current regime being in power, or at least being in a position to ever press charges should (when) he return.

The current regime is very clearly playing for keeps, so Thaksin is as well. The winner will be the one who commands the support of the people, either at the polls or on the streets. Which will it be? Thaksin seems pretty confident.

It's a bugger when a crook can enter politics and then use politics to complete whitewash all his crimes, outstanding cases and probably all future ones too.

Trouble is, too many more educated worldly wise Thais about now. Not likely to put up with his lies, cheating and thieving so easily.

crook = Thaksin?

or

crook = Prayuth?

or both...

Only one has been convicted, AFAIK, and that one also has many, many outstanding cases.

[Jenny Adara]

Taksin isnt stupid, this was probably a well calculated attempt to get himself in the media again, infact its the second time in 2 weeks he has made a stir - its his gameplay!
Passport revoked? do you think he cares anymore? he can get residency elsewhere and can travel freely if he pleases, money talks.

[EyesWideOpen]

Very clever move from the Junta. To accuse Mr T of lèse majesté his interview cannot be shown in Thailand anymore under the threat of LM.

Good point. Think I will look up the interview and see what was actually said.

If he said the elites were behind the coup, that would be exactly correct. It

would be silly to castigate him for speaking the truth.... :-)

So which interview was it that catapulted Prayut over the edge. The CNN

one or the Korean TV one ?

Edit: Just found it, it was the Korean interview. He simply said something

that I knew a long time ago, and in fact have posted about. How was Suthep

able to run protests with virtual immunity ?????????

Edited May 27, 2015 by EyesWideOpen

[Jeffrey346]

Does it really serve any purpose , I suppose it undermines his authority to speak on Thailand's behalf .The only time he would ever return would be would be if and when a Thaksin friendly Government were in place , so I dare say they would issue him a new one. Its just to unsettle his supporters I suppose and show how the junta can do what they want, Apart from Jailing his sister , not much else they can get at him with

Actually there is a way to have him arrested and brought to justice in Thailand. He only needs to be officially added to Interpol's list of wanted criminals and his exile will be over sooner than later, especially if a substantial reward is offered for information that leads to his arrest and return to Thailand to stand trial.

You don't get it.. They don't want him back in the country as he is more dangerous here than where he is now.

[cumgranosalum]

There are 2 clearly discernible groups on ThaiVisa....The vehemently ant-Thaksin camp who seem to regard politics in the same way as one might support a football team.........and the other camp, those who understand, or at least try to understand Thai politics and history.

One has to say that the lack of thought by the anti-Thaksin camp is blatantly apparent when one becomes aware of their main tenet; that anyone who disagrees with their mouth-frothingly simplistic points of view must be pro-Thaksin....a premise that unfortunately compels them to fall flat on their face at the first fence of any meaningful discussion

[mikemac]

by law it should have been done before 8 years,

but his lovely sister and GVt didn't do his duty,

Now finally it's done,

and he have another crime on him which my get him another 10 years Bangkok Hilton !

Well done !! PM

Lese Majeste charges may be pressed by the current regime, however I rather suspect Thaksin does not envisage the current regime being in power, or at least being in a position to ever press charges should (when) he return.

The current regime is very clearly playing for keeps, so Thaksin is as well. The winner will be the one who commands the support of the people, either at the polls or on the streets. Which will it be? Thaksin seems pretty confident.

It's a bugger when a crook can enter politics and then use politics to complete whitewash all his crimes, outstanding cases and probably all future ones too.

Trouble is, too many more educated worldly wise Thais about now. Not likely to put up with his lies, cheating and thieving so easily.

crook = Thaksin?

or

crook = Prayuth?

or both...

Poor, poor tb !

I have read your last few comments on this topic with much laughter.

They remind me of the bad guy in the movie or tv show who is firing his hand gun at the good guys and runs out of bullets, desperately keeps pulling the trigger, click - click - click but nothing, so as a final act of desperation he throws his hand gun at them !

Sorry,mate, but you have nothing left .

Hilarious ! Keep them comin' tb !

[Baerboxer]

Does it really serve any purpose , I suppose it undermines his authority to speak on Thailand's behalf .The only time he would ever return would be would be if and when a Thaksin friendly Government were in place , so I dare say they would issue him a new one. Its just to unsettle his supporters I suppose and show how the junta can do what they want, Apart from Jailing his sister , not much else they can get at him with

Actually there is a way to have him arrested and brought to justice in Thailand. He only needs to be officially added to Interpol's list of wanted criminals and his exile will be over sooner than later, especially if a substantial reward is offered for information that leads to his arrest and return to Thailand to stand trial.

And how do they do this via Interpol considering the rest of the democratic world supports him.

Only in his and his supporters minds do they.

How do you know what the rest of the world thinks?

They've been conspicuous by their absence so far. How many countries, senior politicians, statesmen or ladies can you name who have publicly supported the criminal fugitive Thaksin by name?

Interpol would act on any correctly applied for request. The conviction was by a lawful court, and all those 15 charges are in lawful courts. Interpol don't challenge the authority of member countries' courts. Countries have their own laws appertaining to extradition and he would be subject to the laws of the country he was detained in.